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personalization
The funeral should reflect and honor the person who has died, and also should celebrate the life that has ended. Everyone has different ways of expressing this. There are no wrong ways. It's all personal...
Much is said today about personalizing the funeral service. After all, the service is about you, right?
The funeral should reflect and honor the person who has died, and also should celebrate the life that has ended. Everyone has different ways of expressing this. There are no wrong ways. It's all personal preference.
Which leads us to the question, how do I make this service more personal to fit this life? The answer may start with the obituary. Including more than just dates and places, you might wish to also allude to personal characteristics and hobbies. It doesn’t hurt to include a sentence or two about the humorous side of a person. After all, we are all complex. We all have areas in our lives that include passions, interests, habits, and careers. One service folder we did was for a lady who loved cross-word puzzles. We created a crossword on the back of the service folder that had tips and clues of all things related to her. Names of children, favorite vacation spots, meals that she was known for... you get the idea. People worked on the puzzle at the luncheon. It was great.
For the visitation, you may wish to bring in items that represent the life that was lived. Photographs, awards, a baseball glove or a bowling ball. One family set up a facsimile 1950s vintage campsite, complete with a picnic basket, camp stove, portable chairs, and a campfire all set to go. There were rolled up vintage sleeping bags and a couple of strung fishing poles. They even scattered autumn leaves and some sticks. You couldn't walk into that room without feeling sentimental.
The service has plenty of room for unique personalization. Think about the music, readings, poems, a eulogy, and the message that will be delivered. Also, would you like to invite special groups to participate? Military, fraternal groups. chorus members, or teams? Having an adult softball team all show up in their uniforms, for example, is a powerful display of support.
And finally, the luncheon. Although I'm sure ham sandwiches are just fine, you may take an opportunity here to reflect a typical or special favorite meal.
Photos & Albums
There are many opportunities to display photos at a funeral service. Poster boards with photo collages can be placed on easels for display. Flat screen TV monitors can be used to display pictures, videos, or a slideshow. Photographs can be printed in the memorial folders, registry book or on urns.
Videos
A DVD or USB thumb drive tribute video is a wonderful way to share your loved one’s life with others. It can be personalized with your special photos and music. These videos become keepsakes that you can share with your family for generations.
Artwork
Artwork of the deceased or art created in tribute is a beautiful addition to a service. Sculptures, a slideshow of drawings, or displaying artwork throughout the funeral home helps people learn more about a life that was cherished.
Music
Live or pre-recorded music can be relaxing and comforting to those who have come to the service. Some other ways music can be used, is to record a CD with the deceased’s favorite songs or songs that he or she wrote or to have musically inclined family or friends perform at the funeral service.